Montana Claims Top Spot in MCLA Division II Coaches Poll

ATLANTA — After taking down former No. 1 St. Thomas over the weekend, Montana has moved into the top spot in week two of the New Balance MCLA Division II Weekly Coaches Poll, which was released on March 1.

The Grizzlies (5-0) handed the Tommies (2-1) their first loss of the season, 10-8, in a contest played in Minot, N.D. Montana was awarded 20 of the 27 first-place votes this week and is 19 points clear of the field. Rhode Island (4-1) sticks in the second chair after an idle week. The Rams snagged five first-place ballots. St. Thomas dips down to No. 3 but did manage to hang on to a pair of top votes despite the setback to Montana.

Grand Valley State (0-0) remains comfortably in fourth position as the Lakers await the season opener in nine days. Kennesaw State (4-1) jumps into the No. 5 spot this week on the strength of two Division I road victories.

Bridgewater State (0-2) drops out of the poll to make room for No. 25 Western Washington (3-2).

All Division II eyes will be on Springfield, Mo., this weekend, as No. 7 Missouri State (0-0) hosts No. 12 North Dakota State (1-1), No. 16 Dayton (0-0) and No. 17 Florida Atlantic (3-1) from March 3-5.

NEW BALANCE MCLA
DIVISION II COACHES POLL

Receiving votes: Bridgewater State (38), Northern Arizona (37), San Diego (33), Georgia Southern (32), Utah Tech (15), Baylor (9), MSU Denver (6), Loyola Marymount (5), Washington-Mo. (4), North Florida (4), Chico State (1).